Cambrils Holidays

The Costa Dorada's foodie capital – Cambrils is a proper fishing port where the catch gets auctioned each morning and ends up on your plate by dinner. Nine kilometres of golden beaches, a gorgeous harbour lined with seafood restaurants, and a laid-back vibe that's worlds away from the theme park buzz of nearby Salou.

Good to Know

☀️ Weather: Milder than southern Spain with summer highs of 26-28°C and over 300 sunny days a year – perfect beach weather without the scorching heat

💶 Prices: Fresh seafood meals from €15-25, a cold caña (small beer) around €2 – proper good value

🍤 Fun fact: Cambrils has over 150 restaurants and has earned two Michelin stars – making it one of Spain's top destinations for seafood lovers

Highlights

• 🍽️ Gastronomic capital of the Costa Dorada with Michelin-starred seafood restaurants and harbourside dining

• 🏖️ Nine Blue Flag beaches with calm, shallow waters and a 9km promenade stretching to Salou

• 🎢 Just 10 minutes from PortAventura World – brilliant for day trips without staying in the theme park madness

• ⚓ Working fishing port where you can watch the daily catch being landed and auctioned

• 🏛️ Roman ruins, medieval watchtowers and a charming old town to explore inland

Where to Stay

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

Best Cambrils A popular four-star just 60m from the beach with pools, waterslides and a day-and-night entertainment programme. There's a kids' games room and the Vilafortuny area is nice and relaxed for families.

H10 Cambrils Playa Well-reviewed four-star in a quiet spot 50m from the beach with two outdoor pools, three tennis courts, minigolf and a kids' club. Great sports facilities and themed dinner nights in summer.

Best Maritim Beachfront four-star right on 6km of golden sand with a spa featuring Jacuzzis and Balinese beds. There's a mini club for kids aged 5-11 and a proper entertainment programme to keep everyone happy.

💑 Couples

Sol Port Cambrils Stylish four-star just 300m from Regueral Beach with two saunas, a free gym and a rooftop sun terrace. It's a 10-minute stroll to the harbour's seafood restaurants – ideal for romantic evening meals.

Rovira Hotel Charming three-star right on the seafront, just 10m from the beach and 100m from the yacht club. Small and personal with an outdoor pool – perfect for couples who want to be in the thick of harbour life.

⭐ All-Rounders

Augustus Hotel Beachfront four-star between Salou and Cambrils with sand literally at your doorstep. Great buffet restaurant with show cooking, pools, and easy access to both towns' restaurants and attractions.

What to Do in Cambrils

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• 🏖️ Hit Playa del Regueral for calm shallow waters, floating platforms for the kids to clamber on, and beach volleyball courts

• 🎢 Day trip to PortAventura World – just 10 minutes away with incredible rollercoasters and Ferrari Land for speed demons

• 🚴 Cycle the 9km promenade to Salou as a family – it's flat, scenic and dotted with ice cream stops

• 🌳 Explore Parc Samà, a stunning 19th-century botanical garden with exotic plants, peacocks and a colonial-style palace

💑 Couples

• 🍤 Book a harbourside table and feast on fresh-off-the-boat seafood as fishing boats bob in the marina

• 🌅 Stroll the Passeig de les Palmeres promenade at sunset – 9km of palm trees, sea views and romantic vibes

• 🍷 Sample local Catalan wines and tapas in the old town's cobbled squares

• 🏛️ Day trip to Tarragona to explore the Roman amphitheatre overlooking the Mediterranean – just 20 minutes away

🎉 Groups

• ⛵ Hire a boat from the marina and spend the day exploring hidden coves along the coast

• 🤿 Try snorkelling or paddleboarding at Playa del Cavet – calm waters and decent visibility

• 🍺 Bar-hop along the harbour – the seafood tapas and chilled beers keep flowing until late

• 🎡 Hit PortAventura for a group day of rollercoasters, then catch the fireworks at closing time

🏛️ Culture Vultures

• 🏛️ Visit Villa Romana de la Llosa – impressive Roman ruins dating back to the 1st century BC, only discovered in 1980

• 🏰 Explore the 11th-century Castillo de Vilafortuny and the medieval watchtowers dotted along the coast

• ⛪ Wander the old town to see the Mare de Déu del Camí sanctuary and its 14th-century watchtower

• 🎣 Watch the fish auction at the port – a fascinating glimpse into Cambrils' fishing heritage that's been going for centuries

When to Visit Cambrils

☀️ Summer (June–August) | Highs of 28°C

Peak beach season with the liveliest harbour atmosphere. The Festa Major de Sant Pere (late June) kicks off the summer with street parades, fireworks and sardana dancing. In July, the Festa de la Mare de Déu del Carme honours the patron saint of fishermen with a beautiful sea procession where the Virgin is carried by boat through the harbour. The Cambrils International Music Festival (late July–early August) brings big-name acts to the Parc del Pinaret.

🌸 Spring (March–May) | Highs of 18-22°C

Lovely warm weather for exploring without the crowds. Semana Santa brings atmospheric processions through the old town. The Fira de l'Oli (Olive Oil Fair) in spring celebrates local produce with tastings and markets. Perfect temperatures for cycling the coastal promenade.

🍂 Autumn (September–October) | Highs of 22-26°C

Still warm enough for beach days and the seafood is at its finest. The Festa Major de la Mare de Déu del Camí (early September) is Cambrils' biggest festival with human towers (castells), giants parades, correfocs fire runs and live music. The gastronomic events kick up a gear as restaurants showcase seasonal Catalan cuisine.

❄️ Winter (December–February) | Highs of 12-15°C

Mild and peaceful – ideal for foodies who want the restaurants without the crowds. The Fira de Nadal (Christmas Fair) fills the port area with festive markets and activities. January's Festa dels Tres Tombs features a blessing of animals and traditional horse parades. PortAventura has limited winter opening with special Christmas events.

Nearby Resorts

Fancy exploring more of Costa Dorada? These brilliant spots are all within easy reach:

• Salou – The Costa Dorada's liveliest resort with PortAventura on the doorstep, buzzing nightlife and long golden beaches. Just 6km along the promenade – you can walk or cycle there in no time. Perfect for families and groups who want non-stop action.

• La Pineda – A peaceful family-friendly resort with safe shallow beaches and Aquopolis waterpark nearby. It's got that laid-back vibe but you're still close to Salou's attractions when you fancy some excitement.